Off-ice hockey shooting practice device

Abstract

An off-ice hockey shooting practice device includes a linear guideline means with a tethered puck slidable therealong. The linear guide runs generally above the ground between a shooting station and a target. The target surface bears the outline of a hockey goal, a goalie figure, and discrete target positions. The tether extends between the puck and the linear guide along which the tether can slide. A shot puck may rebound from the target, from a resilient target surface or by means of a resilient tether. The resilient target surface results from an elastic connection between the target surface and the target frame. The length of the tether connected to the linear guide is generally sufficient to prevent the puck from missing the target and causing damage.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. An off-ice hockey practice shooting device for use by a player on a playing surface, the device comprising a shooting station on the playing surface, a target surface remote from the station, and a puck device connected to a generally linear guideline means extending between the station and the target, wherein the guideline means comprises a linear guide and a flexible tether slidably connecting the puck device to the guide. 
     
     
       2. The hockey device of claim 1, wherein the guide is held under tension by an anchor at each end. 
     
     
       3. The hockey device of claim 2, wherein one end of the guide is inclined from said shooting station and affixed to the target adjacent the mid-height of the target. 
     
     
       4. The hockey device of claim 1, wherein the tether has a length limited to prevent the puck from passing beyond the target surface. 
     
     
       5. The hockey device of claim 4, wherein the tether includes a swivel connection. 
     
     
       6. The hockey device of claim 4, wherein the tether is a flexible wire. 
     
     
       7. The hockey device of claim 6, wherein the tether is a shock cord and the guide includes arresting means to interrupt movement of the tether along the guide. 
     
     
       8. The hockey device of claim 1, wherein the station includes a shooting surface adapted to be placed on the playing surface and wherein the surface is of a smooth material permitting the emulation of the interaction between an ice surface and a hockey puck. 
     
     
       9. The hockey device of claim 1, wherein the target surface comprises a planar surface resiliently disposed closely adjacent a supporting frame. 
     
     
       10. The hockey device of claim 9, wherein the target surface has a perimeter edging of shock cord. 
     
     
       11. The hockey device of claim 10, wherein the target surface is held within the frame by fastening means extending between the frame and the perimeter edging. 
     
     
       12. The hockey device of claim 9, wherein the target surface has an outline of a hockey net and simulated goalie positioned within the hockey net. 
     
     
       13. The hockey device of claim 12, wherein the target surface has target areas positioned between the simulated hockey net and goalie outlined on its face. 
     
     
       14. The hockey device of claim 13, wherein the target areas are made of a resonant material attached to the target surface. 
     
     
       15. The hockey device of claim 10, wherein the target surface is a mesh or net material. 
     
     
       16. The hockey device of claim 10, wherein the frame is a self-standing rigid structure. 
     
     
       17. The hockey device of claim 10, wherein the frame is anchored against tipping toward the shooting surface. 
     
     
       18. An off-ice hockey practice shooting device for use by a player on a playing surface, the device comprising a shooting station of plastics material suitable to emulate an ice surface, a resilient target having a target surface and a perimeter thereto, said target being remote from said station, and a linear guide inclined upwardly from said station to said target, with a puck device slidably tethered to said guide, wherein said guide intersects said target surface adjacent its bi-lateral mid-point, said tether having a length generally equal to the maximum distance from said mid-point to said perimeter of said target. 
     
     
       19. The hockey device of claim 18, wherein the target includes a frame which resiliently supports said target surface having an edging of shock cord by means of connectors extending between said shock cord and said frame at discrete intervals.